Merry-go-round.



LE ROY WILLOUR.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28, 1913.

1,099,729. A Patented June 9,1914L 3 SHEET8SHEBT 1.

LERuyLLHHuur WM W LE ROY WILLO UR. MERRY-GO-ROUND.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2a, 1913.

1,099,729. Patented June 9, 1914.

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APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 2a, 1913.

1,099,729. Patented June 9,1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LE ROY WILLOUR, 0F ASHLAND, OHIO, ASSIGNUR TO THE ASHLAND MANUFACTURING GOMIF'ANY, OF ASI-ILAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MEBRY-GO-RGUND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 9, 1914.

Application filed February 28; 1913. Serial No. 751,351.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lu ROY \Vnmonn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashland, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in h Ierry-Go-Rounds, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an amusement apparatus and has particular reference to new and useful improvements in such apparatus commonly termed a merry-go-round.

An important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above mentioned character which will be particularly attractive to children, affording them amusement and healthy exercise.

A further objectof my invention is to provide means whereby the number of cars may be increased or decreased in accordance with the number of operators.

A further object of this invention is to provide adjustable connecting means between the circular track and the inner body portion or bell, whereby such bell may be always retained in the exact center of the circular track.

A further object of this invention is to provide a car of improved construction, which is light, strong and durable.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means for propelling each ear, such means being operated by the hands and feet of the passenger, thus affording proper exercise.

A further object of my invention is to generally improve the construction of merry-go-rounds of this type, and to provide an apparatus which will be perfectly safe to be operated by children.

Other objects and advantages of this in vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a plan view of the complete apparatus, Fig. 2 is a side view of one of the ears, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same, Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken through the center of the bell and associated elements, taken on line l i of Fig. 5, Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bell and associated elements, some of the elements having portions thereof broken. away, Fig.

6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the circular track, and, 7 is a similar view of slightly different form of track.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have shown. apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 8 designates a substantially circular track, which may be formed inverted L-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 6, or I-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 7. It is believed that the best results are obtained by employing the I-rail shown in Fig. 7, for the track, but is to be understood that the invention is in no sense solely restricted to this form of rail. The circular track 8 is provided with openings for the passage of the outer ends of adjusting radius rods 9, such outer ends being bent at right angles, to engage the outer surface of the web of the track rail and thus prevent the rods 9 from being moved out of the openings by inward movement of the same.

Disposed centrally within the circular track 8 is a body portion or bell 10, provided at its lower large end which engages the ground or other foundation with an upwardly extending annular flange 11, provided with openings for receiving the inner ends of the adjusting radius rods 9. These inner ends are screwthrcaded for receiving nuts 12, disposed within an annular space 13 formed by the annular flange 11, as more clearly shown in Fig. It is thus seen that by proper manipulation of the nuts 12, the bell 10 may be arranged in the exact center of the circular track Sand retained in such position.

The numeral 14: designates a rotatable table or plate, provided with a hub 15 for receiving an upstanding conical 16 and spindle 17, which are preferably cast integral with the upper end of the bell 10. The hub 15 is held against vertical displacement by a cotter-pin 18 or the like, which extends through a transverse opening formed through the upper end of the spindle 17, as shown. The numeral 19 designates bearing-balls, which are preferably disposed between the boss 16 and the hub 15, as

shown.

The numeral 20 designates cars which travel upon the circular track 8. These cars are preferably diametricall3 arranged, as shown. In F ig. 1, I have illustrated four of these cars 20, but it is to be understood that this number may be increased or decreased, as may be desired.

As more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each car comprises a fiat vertical body portion or open frame 21, including a lower horizontal beam 22. This frame 21 may preferably be a casting although the same may be constructed otherwise. At its forward end the horizontal beam 22' carries a depending fork or arm 23, upon which is freely rotatably mounted a small wheel 24, by means of a spindle 25 or the like. At the rear erfd of the horizontal beam 22 is a large wheel 26, which is rotatably mounted thereon by means of a spindle 27 or the like. Disposed upon the outer side of the large wheel 26 and connected with a spoke of the same is a crank pin 28, having pivotal connection at its outer end with a pitman or rod 29, as shown. The forward end of this pitman is curved or off set inwardly, and is forked, as shown at 30, for receiving the lower portion of a vertically swinging operating lever 31. The forked end 30 is pivotally connected with the operating lever 31 by means of a bolt 32 or the like. The operating lever 31 is disposed within an ear or bracket 33 and is pivotally connected therewith by means of a bolt 34 or the like. The lower end of the operating lever 31 extends for a considerable distance below the pivot point 32 and operates within a slightly curved guide bracket 35, which is secured to beam 22 by suitable means. It is thus seen that the operating lever 31 is free to be swung in a vertical plane but cannot partake of any perceptible lateral movements by virtue of the provision of the guide bracket 35 and ear Connected with the upper end of the operating lever 31 is a transverse handle 36. Connected with the operating lever 31 between the pivot points 32 and 34 is a transverse foot rest 37, as shown. Mounted upon the upper rear portion of the frame 21, is a seat 38, which may be preferably of the form shown, although some other form of seat could be employed. It is thus seen that I have provided a car of the bicycle type, the passenger sitting in the seat 38 and straddling the frame 21 so that his feet will engage the foot rest 37 upon opposite sides of the frame 21.

The horizontal beam 22 of the frame 21 is provided at its opposite ends with apertured ears or extensions 39, for receiving the screw-threaded outer ends of tubular connecting rods 40. These screw threaded outer ends carry nuts 41, as shown. The tubular connecting rods 40 in each pair converge in wardly, for connection with the rotatable table 14, as will be fully described. Connected with the tubular rods 40 inwardly thereof and near the car 20 is a reinforcing bar or strip 41, as shown. Connected with this reinforcing bar 41 is an upstanding bar or strip 42 which is connected at its upper end with the upper portion of the frame 21 adjacent the seat 38, as shown at 43. It is thus seen that the pair of connecting rods 40 are securely attached to the car 20, and are adapted to be removed from the apparatus together with the car. By proper manipulation of the nuts 41 the car may be moved in and out with respect to the circular track to properly travel thereon.

In order that the number of cars in use may be increased or decreased as desired, I provide a novel form of connecting means between the inner ends of the connecting rods 40 and the rotatable table 14, which I will now proceed to describe. Formed upon the upper surface of the rotatable table and preferably cast integral therewith are upstanding annular outer and inner rings or flanges 44 and 45, which are concentric with relation to each other and the table 14. The outer flange or ring 44 is scalloped or provided with recesses 46, while the inner ring 45 is also scalloped or provided with recesses 47. The inner ends of the converging connecting rods 40 are adapted to fit within the recesses 46 and 47, as shown, and are held therein by bolts 48, which pass through openings 49 formed through the table 14. It is thus seen that the connecting rods 40 are securely and rigidly connected with the rotatable table 14 and may be readily disconnected therefrom by proper manipulation of the bolts 48.

As shown in Fig. 5, there are two recesses 47 between the outer connecting rods 40 and five recesses 46 disposed therebetween. It is thus seen that another pair of connecting rods 40 may be secured to the table 14, the inner ends of these rods fitting within the recesses 47 and 46, there being still two recesses 46 unoccupied, one outwardly of and adjacent each rod 40 of the new pair.

The passengers occupy their places within the seats 38 and swing the levers 31 vertically by means of their hands and feet. It is thus seen that each passenger propels his own car or vehicle.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having fully described my invention, I claim 1. In apparatus of the character described, a relatively stationary bell provided near its lower end with a surrounding upstanding fiange, a substantially circular track surrounding the bell, radius rods connected with the track and the surrounding upstanding flange, a suitable number of cars to travel on the track, and suitable connect ing means between the cars and bell.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a relatively stationary bell provided at its base with an upstanding apertured annular flange spaced from the base of the bell to provide an opening thercbetween, a track surrounding the bell, radius rods connected With the track and having their inner ends screw-threaded and passed through the apertures in the upstanding flange, nuts carried by the screw-threaded inner ends of the radius rods and disposed in the opening to be readily accessible, a table rotatably mounted upon the upper portion of the bell, a suitable number of cars to travel on the track, and connecting means between the cars and table.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a relatively stationary body portion, a track surrounding the same, a plurality of cars mounted on the track, a table rotatably mounted upon the relatively stationary body portion, a plurality of annular flanges formed upon the upper surface of the rotatable table and provided With holding recesses and serving to stiffen and reinforce the same, connecting rods secured to the cars and having their inner ends fitting within the holding recesses, and bolts passing through the connecting rods and the rotatable table to retain the connecting rods Within the holding recesses.

44.- In apparatus of the character described, a relatively stationary body portion, a track surrounding the same, a plurality of cars mounted on the track, a table rotatably mounted upon the relatively stationary body portion, a plurality of annular flanges formed upon the upper surface of the rotatable table and provided with holding recesses, having their upper sides open and serving to stiffen and reinforce the table, connecting rods secured to the ears and having their inner ends fitting within the hold ing recesses, bolts passing through the connecting rods and the rotatable table to retain the connecting rods Within the holding recesses, and manually operated propelling means for each car.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

LE ROY WILLOUR.

Witnesses Tries. H. Moons, J. C. lVoLr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

